Review from Anthea C (Wife of Resident) published on 28 September 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Myself and my family cannot praise the home enough. Be it the care at all levels. The dignity and care shown were second to none. From first entering it always felt like a cosy home which was down to the staff and care given. As visitors, we were also looked after so well. On the death of our loved

one, we were able to spend the last days with him witnessing first-hand how he was attended to, also making us comfortable and fed. Would recommend 100%.

Reply from Barbara Alison, Home Manager at Applecroft Nursing Home

Thank you for your kind comments and praise for my staff. It was our privilege to care for your loved one and welcome you/your family into our Applecroft Family.

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Review from Amanda F (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My mum has received wonderful care and kindness at Applecroft Nursing Home. I would particularly like to thank all the staff who work on the Russet and Pippin Ward, both during the day and night shifts, for their compassion, competence, and exemplary standards of care. My mum was at Applecroft Nursing

Home for three years and was always treated with kindness, patience, and dignity. Thank you to everyone at Applecroft Nursing Home and most specifically, thanks to all the staff on the Russet and Pippin Ward who, in addition to their caring responsibilities, always took the time to explain processes and outcomes to me.

Reply from Barbara Alison, Home Manager at Applecroft Nursing Home

Thank you for your review comments. These have been shared with the care staff on Russet and Pippin Unit. Applecroft care staff work very hard to provide the highest standards of care to all our residents and it is commendable to all the care staff to see the appreciation and positive feedback from relatives who truly acknowledge the exemplary standards of care and compassion shown to their loved ones.

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Review from Michelle T (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 September 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My father was put here during 2020 lockdown. Since he arrived the staff on Blossom unit have been amazing, cannot fault them, they are totally invested in the clients on that ward. Even telephone conversations with the staff to find out how Dad was were amazing also. Sadly my father passed away in August

2021, and while on end-of-life they were totally there for him and also us as a family as and when we visited. Always come in to check if we as Dad's family were OK, and often having chats with us to find out what sort of person Dad was before the dementia. Dad had a cheeky side even with dementia, and until the day he passed. My mum, myself, and my family cannot fault all the staff for the care that my dad received and will forever be in our family's thoughts and forever grateful.

Reply from Wendy Mcdonough, Regional Director at Applecroft Nursing Home

Dear Michelle, sending condolences to you and your family on the demise of your father, he is greatly missed at Applecroft. Thank you so very much for taking the time to submit such a lovely review. Your kind words are really appreciated by the management and staff. Wishing you all the very best for the future.

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Review from Henry T (Husband of Resident) published on 27 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Thanks to the kindness and amazing patience of the staff at Applecroft, my experience as the husband of a resident with dementia has been a uniformly happy one. I can say without exaggeration that our relationship, which had been deteriorating badly in recent years, has been wonderfully restored. I

put this down to the atmosphere at Applecroft and the care taken by the staff to treat the residents as individuals and make their visitors welcome. I am always amazed that so many know me by name. I must not forget the tearoom on the ground floor which is so appreciated by visitors who want to spend time with their friends and loved ones in a place that has exactly the welcoming familiarity of any traditional tearoom. In a way, it is a non-threatening breath of the outside world.

Reply from Barbara Alison, Home Manager at Applecroft Nursing Home

Thank you for your kind and supportive words. Our Tea room is the heart of the home, enjoyed and loved by all. My staff at Applecroft always go above and beyond to ensure all our residents are treated as individuals, just like one of the family.

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Review from John L (Brother of Resident) published on 1 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

I really must commend the excellent, dedicated and patient service of the staff of ‘Permain’ unit in Applecroft Nursing home. Their undoubted care of my dear sister is testimony to the very professional and thoughtful way in which they treat those that are in such need during their later life and in

such difficult times. My sincere thanks to you.

Reply from Barbara Alison, Home Manager at Applecroft Nursing Home

Thank you for your kind words which have been passed onto the Permain staff. They will be so delighted to see your comments on the website as well. Your ongoing support is much appreciated.

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Review from Joyce W (Sister of Resident) published on 30 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My sister has had learning disabilities from birth, since 2009 had been a resident in two care homes before moving to Applecroft in October 2020. From May 2020 she had been in and out of hospital due to an eating and drinking disorder, which I believe came about due to the lockdown situation. Whilst

being treated in the hospital she came close to being put on an End of Life Pathway, it was suggested she went into a nursing home. I selected Applecroft because of how it was portrayed on its website. It has not disappointed me, the staff and environment on Permain Ward have succeeded where others failed and indeed had given up. The improvement in my sister is incredible. Due to covid, my only contact has been by telephone, the staff have always been very helpful, kind and patient, even in the early days of her residency when she was unsettled, they always gave me something positive to focus on. I would like to highlight their dedication to improving her quality of life. Thank you.

Reply from Barbara Alison, Home Manager at Applecroft Nursing Home

Thank you for your kind comments. The commitment and dedication of all our staff in wanting to make a real difference to every residents' quality of life is always at the heart of our care. We appreciate your ongoing support and will continue to remain positive even with the ongoing challenges we all face.

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Review from Esther (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

All through the pandemic, the care staff at Applecroft have been amazing. They have phoned us with updates always been friendly, helpful and understanding of our feelings. They have kept dad safe and all staff have tried their hardest to keep covid free. We are so pleased that dad is in Applecroft he

always looks clean and smart and appears to be calmer and less volatile than when he was at home, so the carers must be very experienced and able to manage the behaviours of people with dementia. They have always tried to make visiting possible whenever the law has permitted it and the carer that supervises my mum's visit with dad is always very kind and helps mum to feel comfortable and able to engage in conversation.

Reply from Barbara Alison, Home Manager at Applecroft Nursing Home

Thank you for your kind words. With regular visits now in place for relatives to spend quality time with their loved ones, our activities team are supporting residents and relatives with the engagement. So pleased this has been a positive experience for both. Much appreciate your continued support for Applecroft.

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Review from Drew L (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 16 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

In 2019, we had tremendous problems finding a nursing home suitable for my mother-in-law. Her previous care home was very good but could not cope with her needs, and the Applecroft challenging behaviour unit was recommended to us by a local professional. It was the best decision we could have made.

As my mother-in-law's mental and physical health has declined, the home has continued to go “above and beyond”. She is now bedridden, and we have been confident about her care even during this exceptional Covid period.

Reply from Barbara Alison, Home Manager at Applecroft Nursing Home

Thank you for your kind comments and continued support. Exceptional 12 months for all but we are all hoping small, steady changes will make a big difference to all our lives.

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Review from Manny F (Son of Resident) published on 30 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

This is one of the best care homes I have come across. The staff are very caring and professional. The place is kept clean, safe and secure. My mother suffers from advanced dementia and will be 100 years old soon. The care she has received, has made her very content and settled. I can't thank you all

enough, as this means the world to me.

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Review from Gillian B (Niece of Resident) published on 20 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My aunt who was 95 had vascular dementia and was admitted to Applecroft in December 2018 as I tried to look after her in her own home as well as looking after my husband who has MS. My aunt had various falls due to her failing eyesight and her dementia levels were getting worse. I did not want to put

her in a home as you hear so many horror stories but from day one the staff were extremely caring and very supportive of her family and kept us updated on her welfare. She was able to have her hair done by a visiting hairdresser and she always looked clean and well-fed, any medical problem was dealt with efficiently and myself and her sister cannot thank the staff enough. Unfortunately my aunt died in March this year and they gave her good end of life care, they even played some of her favourite music to calm her down in her last few days. Thank you all again for all the care and support you not only gave to my elderly aunt but to us as a family.

Reply from Barbara Alison, Home Manager at Applecroft Nursing Home

Thank you for your kind words and feedback about the care your aunt received from my care team.
Stay safe and please do visit us when we have our Spring and Summer fetes, hoping for next year.

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Review from Michael G (Brother-in-law of Resident) published on 7 August 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

The care given to my sister in law was superb. Not only did they care for her but also myself.

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Review from Kezia H (Daughter of Resident) published on 13 May 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

I am extremely grateful to Applecroft and all the staff who helped my father in the last six months of his life. He suffered from Alzheimer's and we struggled to find him a good home. My main goal was to make sure he was safe, happy and when the time came he experienced a 'good' death. The staff were

caring, friendly, professional and tactile. The atmosphere of the home always felt calm and they had made it as homely as they could. One major added benefit to the home is that it has a small wrap around garden and an entrance to a beautiful park with a small lake. I took my father there a few times in a wheelchair and I know he enjoyed it. We were able to be with him when he passed and I am sure he was grateful to all the staff that cared for him. It is a very hard job and I know it's hard to find a good care home for your loved one but this one was excellent.

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Review from Allan H (Husband of Resident) published on 21 February 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I don't think you could find a more caring and supportive atmosphere anywhere else.

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Review from L B (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 October 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Apple Croft nursing home is such a lovely, caring nursing home, the staff cannot do enough for the residents, very caring, help residents to be interactive with activities. The Blossom tea room for the residents and families to sue is absolutely beautiful and relaxing, also have animal interaction which

is absolutely lovely for the residents, one word, wonderful!!
Beautiful rooms and wonderful staff.

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Review from ASH (Son of Resident) published on 9 May 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

My mother arrived at Applecroft in an extremely distressed state from various delays and mismanagement from the system and service providers!

In the year my mother has been living here at Applecroft, she has returned to a semi-normal state and is happy and content. My mother's well-being has not

been seen like this for nearly four years! I am able to go away for a week or two weeks without worrying about how she is being looked after at all.

The staff and the team, work together to make things happen in this very difficult climate with some very poorly people. The care and the service are consistent along with a good quality service in all areas. Well done to the staff and management team at Dover for making this happen.

Finally, I can get back on with my life and my career.

Keep up the good work.

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Review from Sheila W (Sister-in-law of Resident) published on 28 November 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

On the 17th of October 2016, I visited my Brother-in-Law, and it was a lovely visit, as he has been bathed and dressed and brought downstairs to the lovely bright tea room. Unfortunately, on the 20th of October 2016 when we visited again, it was a different story. As soon as we stepped out of the lift

on the first floor, the disgusting smell hit you.
The whole place stank.
Lunches were being served, which one hopes would have an appetising smell - but they do not. In my Brother-in-Law's room, the commode and wee bottle both needed emptying, which my 76-year-old frail sister, did herself. The mattress and pillow had bedding removed. The floor was dirty and sticky. The room and my relative stank. It was disgusting.

Reply from Barbara Alison, General Manager at Applecroft Nursing Home

I am sorry you have had cause to raise issues in relation to Applecroft and the care provided to your Brother-in-law. I would very much appreciate the opportunity to discuss these with you in person. Please contact the home and arrange a suitable time to meet with myself to discuss your concerns. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Review from Ken W (Sister of Resident) published on 27 January 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Service is very good always able to talk to staff about my sister and her needs, by far one of the best care homes in Dover.

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Review from Alyson C (Relative of Resident) published on 21 January 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Our dear family member sadly only spent twelve days at Applecroft. Unfortunately he had already spent ten sad unhappy weeks in the care (if you can call it that) of a hospital, had he been moved just after the first meeting I believe he would still be alive to this day. From the minute he arrived he

was treated as a human being. He wasn't violent like the hospital said. I believe they had a much more caring bedside manner. His last few days were his best. He was comfortable, clean, cared for, fed and sitting up in a chair on his 89th birthday. Applecroft staff were kind, understanding, polite and they treated him with utmost respect and consideration. Thank you for everything.

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Applecroft Nursing Home

Care Provided by Applecroft Nursing Home

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Funding & Fees Guide for Applecroft Nursing Home

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